The NHS constitution for England

The NHS constitution enshrined the right to informed choice for patients.

The constitution gave patients the right to:

• choose their GP practice (unless there were reasonable grounds for refusal)
• express a preference for using a particular doctor within a GP practice
• make choices about NHS care and access information to support those choices.

The constitution made commitments that the NHS would inform patients and the public about available healthcare services and would provide information to inform choice.